The Positive Herd Project was origionally set up to provide a group of rescue horses with a permanent, more natural way of life. Most of the horses have come from pasts of neglect or abuse, many as a last chance. It involves over 20 horses across 3 sites in Cheshire. It began as a family run organisation but is now managed as a charity, as we are currently in the process of registering as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO).
The horses will never be rehomed and the project works to ensure they remain together in a fulfilling, relaxed environment for the rest of their life.
With regards to the horse's management the highest level of welfare is constantly aimed for by meeting all of their natural needs. This includes living in consistent herds, never separating pair bonds, giving unlimited forage and constant access to an enriched outdoor area. It also involves bringing herds in together if they need to be kept in stables or barns. Their living environment is as enriching as possible, including lots of trees, bushes and shrubs for browse and shade.
Many have come with severe behavioural issues which can only be managed in this low stress manner. They are then gradually resolved using positive, non-coercive methods. Any that are able to be ridden are trained using both positive reinforcement and elements of classical riding. All the horses are regularly veterinary checked and equipment such as bitless bridles or treeless saddles are used where necessary to ensure the horse's comfort.
Each horse is on his own journey.
The Positive Herd Project also acts as a model to teach people about keeping and training horses in keeping with their natural needs. The herds have a small group of people involved with them who learn from them and in return support them to remain together. Some of the horses have a sharer, which is one dedicated person who facilitates their horse’s training under the supervision and guidance of the team.
We also provide innovative ways for people to spend time with and benefit from being around our herd. We are ensure that these activities are force-free, are a positive, enriching experience for the herd to engage with and that the horses always have a choice about taking part or not. Our experience has shown that they often actively choose to take part, and seem to find it a positive experience.
In the future The Positive Herd team aims to find a suitable base premises from which to teach and help more people and horses alike.
Introducing The Team
Beth Gibbons
Beth is an equine behaviourist, who uses scientific research and positive training techniques to solve behavioural problems in horses. She works to reduce stress caused by environmental factors by matching the horse’s lifestyle to his natural instinctive needs. Following this, training is reward based where possible and completely avoids the use of force, punishment or suppression.
She gained her Equine Behaviour Qualification at The Natural Animal Centre in Wales, before graduating with a 1st class Animal Behaviour BSc (Hons) at Manchester Metropolitain University. She is currently studying for a masters in the same field, and hopes to obtain a behaviour based Phd in the future.
Within The Positive Herd Project, Beth has a particular soft spot for Molly, who she first met over a decade ago. Molly was deeply traumatised, and out of naivety and sympathy Beth ended up with her. Their journey would prove to be a very difficult and emotional learning curve which ultimately ended up with Beth discovering behaviourists and positive training. It was the only thing that worked for Molly, and the only thing that seemed to make total sense. They haven’t looked back since, and Molly is still her ‘guru’ to this day!
For more information on Beth or behaviour consultations please visit www.bethbehaviourist.co.uk
Rachel Randles
Rachel has worked with horses all her life, originally training as a riding instructor with the British Horse Society and qualifying as a BHSAI. Since then she has taught a wide variety of clients both in ridden technique and groundwork, trained students for their BHS qualifications and lectured. She also worked with The Donkey Sanctuary as a riding instructor for many years, training donkeys for riding for the disabled alongside Ben Hart.
Rachel has a broad and comprehensive knowledge of equine management, care, nutrition, training techniques and riding. In addition to her traditional background she is able to apply her extensive knowledge of learning theory, ethology and positive reinforcement training to her existing skill set. She has a particular interest in applying these concepts to training the ridden horse, and aims to make the process as positive and ethical as possible.
She manages all the yards of The Positive Herd Project, ensuring all the horses are well and happy day in day out! Of all of them she shares a special bond with Labriego, the beautiful placid Andalusian gelding who lives with the stallion herd. Lab was trained classically, and Rachel hopes to gradually continue his education, drawing on all the elements of the Positive Herd ethos!
Lisa Whitehead MBACP (Accred)
Lisa facilitates mutually beneficial equine assisted therapy, having studied at Minds in Motion Education and Research Centre (MiMer), which focuses on equine welfare from a scientific perspective, and promotes therapeutic activities which don’t negatively impact on the horse. When she is not spending time with the horses, Lisa is a counsellor and trauma therapist working in South Manchester. Since 2018 she has been volunteering with the Positive Herd Project and learning about the horses. She is interested in developing interventions for the horses and people to interact in ways that are mutually beneficial.
Laura Gibbons
Laura is the Positive Herd’s rider and ridden trainer. Having been horse obsessed since a child she has gained considerable experience riding and training various rescue horses throughout her life. Being able to work with rescues rather than ready produced horses has enabled Laura to become adaptable, confident and able to steadily resolve a range of behavioural issues.
She has a working knowledge and exceptional ability in a range of ridden disciplines, including dressage, jumping and eventing. Drawing on a combined knowledge of traditional, alternative, classical and positive techniques Laura has produced many horses. She regularly attends classical riding lessons, and hopes to combine these teachings with positive reinforcement training to produce a high level competition horse in the future. Despite already holding a 1st class degree, Laura also hopes to continue on to study veterinary science.
Laura is besotted with her Andalusian stallion Navegante who lives within the stallion herd. As such she holds a special interest in the behaviour and management of stallions kept in a social group. As he was trained classically Laura and Nav continue to learn together, and share an inseparable bond.
